NBA Free Agents 2011: What Should Each Team Do This Offseason?
With the conclusion of the NBA's postseason, the free agency period will soon commence.
Many teams will be abuzz when July rolls around, whether it be with the draft, free agency or trades.
I will take a look at every single team and note how they will most likely spend their money this summer when it comes to free agents.
Thanks for reading!
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Atlanta Hawks: Re-Sign Jamal Crawford
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As soon as the pressure was on this postseason, Jamal Crawford stepped up for the Hawks.
He averaged better than 20 points per game and drained countless clutch shots during the playoffs.
If the team wants to re-sign him, it might have to do better than the $10.8 million it paid him this past season.
He will be a hot commodity among free agents.
Boston Celtics: Acquiring Youth
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Let's face it—the Boston Celtics are going to need to acquire youth sometime soon.
With that in mind, where better to start than the shooting guard position, a relatively thin spot on the roster? Von Wafer and Ray Allen hold down the fort there, but Allen is 35 and on the decline.
A guy like J.R. Smith could help them build for their future at the 2.
Charlotte Bobcats: Sign Andrei Kirilenko
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The Charlotte Bobcats are awfully thin at the moment at the small forward position.
Adding a guy like Andrei Kirilenko would help the team defensively, and maybe they'd be able to get him to sign a low seven-figure contract.
Chicago Bulls: Sign a Shooting Guard
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More than anything right now, the Chicago Bulls need a legitimate shooting guard.
Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver and Keith Bogans are all too one-dimensional for Tom Thibodeau's liking, so expect the Bulls to go out and find themselves an all-around player.
Some options include Jason Richardson and Jamal Crawford.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Sign a Veteran Wing
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Let's be honest: Alonzo Gee just isn't cutting it at small forward for the Cavaliers.
In order to continue their quest to restoring their relevancy, Cleveland should go out and sign a veteran like Mickael Pietrus, a guy who would help it on both ends of the floor.
Dallas Mavericks: Keep the Core Together
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Now that the Dallas Mavericks have been crowned champs, they know they have what it takes to continue their winning ways in the NBA.
In order to continue and become favorites for a repeat, they should be re-signing guys from the title team like Caron Butler and Tyson Chandler.
Denver Nuggets: Make Smart Decisions
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The Denver Nuggets are going to have the busiest free agency offseason of any team in the association.
They have many players that need to be re-signed, such as Wilson Chandler, Nene, Arron Afflalo and J.R. Smith.
Afflalo, a restricted free agent, has to be the team's No. 1 priority. I bet they'll send him an offer he can't refuse.
Detroit Pistons: Sign a Point Guard
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Rodney Stuckey just isn't working at the point in Detroit anymore.
If the Pistons don't snag one in the draft, expect them to try to find a cheap buy in free agency. One name that pops out in my head is T.J. Ford—he could end up being an excellent fit in Motown.
Golden State Warriors: Sign Samuel Dalembert
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I hate to be brutally honest, but you can't make deep runs in the NBA with Andris Biedrins as your center; it's just a fact of life.
So why not look one hour to the north if you're the Warriors and grab Samuel Dalembert from the Sacramento Kings? He'd be a nice fit in Oakland, where his defense is desperately needed in the post.
Houston Rockets: Re-Sign Yao Ming
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I anticipate the reaction of Rockets fans who see the title of this slide and are upset by it.
The truth is that Yao Ming is one of the best centers in the league if healthy, and it's not even a debatable topic.
It's just too bad that is the biggest "if" ever.
Regardless, Houston should take a chance on him.
Indiana Pacers: Sign Mickael Pietrus
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It's going to be a busy offseason for the Indiana Pacers, and they will be looking to sign players at both the center and shooting guard positions.
The most realistic option might be Mickael Pietrus, a guy whose defensive skills would be greatly appreciated in Indianapolis.
Los Angeles Clippers: Sign Anthony Parker
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The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the teams in the NBA that look to have a bright future, but for now they'll have a busy offseason.
If re-signing DeAndre Jordan is out of the question, why not look to Cleveland for some defensive help in Anthony Parker?
Los Angeles Lakers: Try to Sign a Point Guard
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The Los Angeles Lakers really need a point guard (emphasis on the word "really").
If they don't, their chances of making a deep run might be folding faster than the XFL.
A possible option (for now) could be Delonte West, a guy who excels on both sides of the floor and has possessed a starting role in the past.
Memphis Grizzlies: Re-Sign Marc Gasol
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Marc Gasol established himself as one of the best centers in all of basketball last year.
In order to retain him, the Grizzlies need to offer him the biggest number they can; otherwise he might take his talents elsewhere.
It's as simple as that, and they need him.
Miami Heat: Sign Aaron Brooks
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The Miami Heat were inconsistent at the point guard position throughout the season.
A guy like Aaron Brooks could really help out the crew, and if he improves his attitude and his defense, he could end up becoming someone fairly special in South Beach.
Milwaukee Bucks: Try to Bid for Carl Landry
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The Milwaukee Bucks are terrible at the power forward position. There is really no way around that fact.
Carl Landry would be a tremendous addition for the club, as he would bring a solid inside game and a prolific 4, something the Bucks haven't seen in a while.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Sign a Center
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As a Wolves fan, I can tell you that the team needs nothing more than a legitimate center.
Luckily for them, this offseason features a plethora of capable post players.
The most realistic option would be Samuel Dalembert in my opinion.
New Jersey Nets: Sign Josh Howard
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The New Jersey Nets are aware that Travis Outlaw doesn't cut it at the small forward position.
Josh Howard could be a cheap buy, and he'd help the system if they are still looking to obtain the unrelated Dwight Howard in the summer of 2012.
New Orleans Hornets: Re-Sign David West
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With Chris Paul on the brink of skipping town, David West will then become the New Orleans Hornets' most important player.
Essentially, the team needs to put up a big offer for the Xavier alum.
If it does so, he will be an integral part of the team's future success.
New York Knicks: Sign Some Frontcourt Defense
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The New York Knicks' gaping hole this past season was the defense of their frontcourt.
So why not fill it with Tyson Chandler, an excellent post player who has proved he has the ability to change games?
Oklahoma City Thunder: Um...?
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The Oklahoma City Thunder seem set for at least the next six or seven years with the roster they have now.
I'm not sure they'll make any moves this offseason.
Orlando Magic: Re-Sign Jason Richardson
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Jason Richardson performed decently as a second option for the Orlando Magic this past season.
Although he is in his 30s now, that doesn't mean he can't contribute, and re-signing in Orlando might just be the smartest decision he could make.
Philadelphia 76ers: Find a Real Center
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Spencer Hawes is an absolutely mediocre center at best, and if the 76ers want to go deep in the playoffs anytime soon, they should rid themselves of the former Washington Husky.
If the Nuggets' Nene is to go anywhere else this offseason, Philadelphia should be at the top of the list.
Phoenix Suns: Sign Nick Young
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Let's face it, Vince Carter: You're not going to be a Phoenix Sun next season.
In order to fill the void Vinsanity left, the Suns might look out to our nation's capital, where Nick Young is a respected 2.
It's more possible than you think, too, since the Wizards are beginning to trust Jordan Crawford in the backcourt more and more.
Portland Trail Blazers: Re-Sign Greg Oden
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I fully expect to hear a collective groan from Portland Trail Blazers fans after this headline.
Truth is, he's a top-tier center when healthy.
Maybe a final hurrah with Oden, meaning a one- or two-year deal, is in order.
Sacramento Kings: Sign J.R. Smith
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The Sacramento Kings aren't exactly strong or intense on the wings.
J.R. Smith of the Denver Nuggets would be an excellent fit because he'd immediately boost that intensity, and we all know he can shoot lights out.
San Antonio Spurs: Re-Sign Tim Duncan
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Tim Duncan has the chance to opt out of his contract, but I think the Spurs need to add a year or two to his deal. In all honesty, it would be straight-up disrespectful not to.
Even though the team needs to get younger, having the Big Fundamental aboard for a few more seasons might be a great thing.
It's not like he can't play anymore; he still averaged 13 and nine last season.
Toronto Raptors: Sign a Center
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The Toronto Raptors are through calling Andrea Bargnani a "center." He just isn't.
So why not go out and get one of the more underrated bigs in the free agency class in Greg Oden? He'd be fairly cheap, and if healthy he would undoubtedly produce.
Utah Jazz: Sign Wilson Chandler
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The Utah Jazz are especially thin at the 2 and 3 (now that it seems imminent that AK47 is heading out).
Why not take a chance on Wilson Chandler? He's a phenomenal player, and if this went through it'd be the steal of the season.
Washington Wizards: Re-Sign Nick Young
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Even with a crowded backcourt, it just wouldn't make any sense for the Wizards not to sign Nick Young.
He's a great player, and he continued to flourish last season, teaming up with John Wall on the perimeter and accumulating career highs in just about every statistic.
Why not toss on a few more campaigns? He seems happy in our nation's capital as it is.
